For many tourists who come to St. Petersburg, the Fontanka Circus is one of those places that you should definitely visit.
Circus performances have been interesting to people for a long time. At first, performances were given by nomadic circus troupes, later (starting from the 18th century) such entertainments, turning into real folk festivals, began to be arranged in riding arenas, and from the 19th century circus buildings began to be built. However, such buildings did not differ in amenities.
The idea to build a circus on the Fontanka came to the mind of an Italian artist, who was then both a trainer and an artist, and the head of a large circus family. This building was supposed to be different from those built earlier.
The Fontanka Circus was planned to be built based on advanced engineering ideas, with a dome of almost 50 meters in span, and without supporting internal columns, which created a special spatial effect. The new solution for the dome was to look like a huge overturned bowl covering the auditorium. By the way, a similar solution was subsequently used in the construction of structures of this kind. The hall was decorated with luxury: velvet, gold, mirrors. The total number of seats is 5000, of which only 1500 are in the stalls.
The circus on the Fontanka received its first visitors in 1877 (December 26). The building is still considered one of the most beautiful circus buildings in the world. In 1919, it came under the jurisdiction of the state, and was remodeled many times, having lost a number of aesthetic and architectural nuances both in the interior and in the external appearance. In 1959, a major reconstruction began, which lasted until 1962. As a result, the decor of the facades (both front and side) was destroyed. The leadership has also changed. In 1919, Scipione Ciniselli (the last owner) left Russia, and the circus workers themselves took over the management duties. Later, the first Soviet director of the Leningrad Circus, Williams Truzzi, an outstanding artist and director, was appointed. His scripts have been used in a number of pantomimes.
In the Soviet pre-war period, the Leningrad Circus hosted not only domestic artists, but also European stars: animal trainers Togare and Karl Kossmi, illusionist Kefalo, athlete Sandvin, musical clowns "Barracet" and many others.
In 1941, the circus stopped its work, completing its 63rd season. The opening of the new season took place only in the second half of 1944. It was here that a new generation of artists appeared. Such celebrities as the illusionist Kio, Yuri Nikulin, Yuri Kuklachev, Oleg Popov were closely associated with the St. Petersburg circus.
Today's circus on the Fontanka delights its guests with bright shows with fantastic lighting design. Circus performers are real professionals, tearing down a storm of enthusiasticapplause.
The Fontanka Circus, how to get to it? Regardless of your location, start your journey from Nevsky Prospekt, as this landmark is the easiest. If the path starts from the east side of St. Petersburg, you need to go to Zanevsky Avenue, then to the west (along the avenue). If you get from the east side, you need to get to the intersection of the Fontanka Embankment and Nevsky Prospekt, turn right from there, then go to Inzhenernaya, from where the circus building will be visible. From the western direction, follow the same Nevsky Prospekt, then across Sadovaya or Karavannaya Street to Inzhenernaya, along it to the east, to the circus building.
If you plan to travel by public transport, use the subway. Your stop is Gostiny Dvor station. Then take bus No. 212 or No. 49 (you need to drive one stop towards Inzhenernaya Street), then walk to the embankment, from there it is very close to the circus.
